Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham has been named in the nominees for the Sports Personality of the Year in 2024 but fans are convinced the award is going elsewhere.
Bellingham is in the mix after winning the Champions League and La Liga in his debut season with Real, before helping England reach the Euro 2024 final in the summer with two key goals and an assist for Cole Palmer's equaliser against Spain.
But the 21-year-old faces stiff competition after a stacked six-person shortlist was announced for the BBC gong. Paris 2024 Olympics stars Keely Hodgkinson and Alex Yee are in contention after the heroics in the French capital, with the former the strong bookmakers' favourite for the award after her 800m gold medal triumph.
European champion Hodgkinson is vying to follow up victories for Emma Raducanu, Beth Mead and back-to-back winner Mary Earps and become the fourth winner in a row.
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Para-cyclist Sarah Storey, the most decorated British woman in Paralympic history, could also continue the trend and become the oldest ever recipient of the award.
Yee's inclusion comes after an incredible comeback to win gold in the Olympic men's triathlon, while cricket legend Joe Root is recognised after usurping Sir Alastair Cook as England’s highest ever Test run-scorer.
But darts sensation Luke Littler is well in with a shout after his incredible run to the PDC World Darts championship aged 16 was followed up by various tournament wins which racked up more than £1 million in prize money.
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Littler is also on the shortlist for the Young Sports Personality of the Year and fans think his meteoric rise will see him emerge victorious in the voting.
One wrote: "17 year old Luke Littler really is Britain's true Sports Personality of the Year of 2024 in my humble opinion."
A second said: "Imagine Luke Littler getting both Young and standard SPOTY! I’ve not heard it before, have you??
A third replied to Littler, telling him: "You deserve them both. You've been absolutely brilliant. And at just 17 years of age you are an inspiration to other young people.
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A fourth simply added: "It has to be Luke Littler."
A final user agreed: "Has to be @LukeTheNuke180."
If Littler wins, he will become the youngest winner of the award since Scottish winner Ian Black in 1958. Reflecting on his nomination, Littler said: "Huge thank you to @BBCSport
for nominating me never thought I would be saying that."
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Cycling legend Mark Cavendish was a surprise omission from the list after breaking Eddy Merckx’s record for Tour de France stage wins.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday 17 December at a ceremony presented by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott in Salford on BBC One.
The public will cast votes over the phone or online during the show's live broadcast at MediaCityUK.
Topics: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, England, Luke Littler, Fan Reactions
Josh Lawless